Tyler Terry, a senior at the Gaithersburg school, remembered for his smile, love for family and friends

Updated 3:50 p.m. Monday: The Quince Orchard High School community Monday learned of the death of a 12th-grade student who played linebacker on the school’s football team

Carole Working, the Gaithersburg school’s principal, wrote Monday that Tyler Terry had died earlier that morning.

“For those of you who knew Tyler, we ask that you remember and celebrate his passion for football, his love of his family and friends, and his great big infectious smile,” Working wrote in a letter to the community.

The teen had been in the hospital for nearly two weeks with a heart condition, according to the athletics department at Monmouth University, the college Tyler planned to attend.

Earlier this month, authorities reported that a Quince Orchard High student had collapsed during a Jan. 29 fight at a neighborhood basketball court. A Montgomery County Public Schools spokeswoman on Monday said Tyler was the student who had been hospitalized following the incident.

However, spokeswoman Gboyinde Onijala said MCPS doesn't know whether the incident was connected with Tyler's death.

The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating the fight, she said.

Tyler’s teammates and friends Monday morning began posting messages of remembrance and mourning on social media using the hashtag #6Strong, in reference to the teen’s jersey number.

"It still doesn't feel real … I miss you man, you made one of the biggest impacts on me here at QO," one Twitter user posted with the hashtag.

A statement on the Quince Orchard football team Twitter account said Tyler’s death has had a far-reaching impact.

“The outpouring of support shown by everyone is amazing. That is a testament to how he lived his life, with a big smile on his face and making someone laugh,” the message stated. “We will strive to accomplish everything he will not be able to, all the while doing it for him. We love you buddy.”

Terry in December had signed a letter of intent to play football at Monmouth University in New Jersey. He wanted to major in accounting, according to the Monmouth press release.

The high school linebacker had helped the Quince Orchard Cougars set a 13-2 record in 2017 and make the state finals for a second straight year, the release stated.

“Words cannot express the sorrow that we feel for [the Terry family's] loss. We are proud to say that Tyler will always be a Monmouth Hawk,” Kevin Callahan, Monmouth’s football head coach, said in the release.

Working wrote in her letter that psychologists, counselors and pupil personnel workers will be on hand at school Monday to provide counseling and support to students.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Tyler’s family with medical expenses.

Bethany Rodgers can be reached at bethany.rodgers@bethesdamagazine.com.